About this time last year, I discovered something that made me laugh out loud: Valentine candy for people who hate Valentine's Day. These were the usual pastel-colored, chalky-tasting candy hearts, but with a twist: the message on each heart had some short, grouchy observation about love gone wrong.

Seeing those wacky, disgruntled candies made me realize how easy it is to think of love in a limited way. In our minds, when we say "love," we're usually talking about the fun rush of feelings that comes with romance, flowers, dates, cards, and, yes, candy. Those flutter-licious feelings you get when you check your voicemail or e-mail and there's a message from that person.

That's definitely one form of love—and a really good form, too! But the truth is a bit fuller than that. Love is around us in many, many forms. In fact, whether or not you're dating someone right now, love is in your life in some way. For this Valentine's Day, I've made a list of some ways I've seen people showing love. Some of them are romantic, and others are not. I'm hoping my list makes you think of ways people love you—and ways to show them love, too:

• Planning a surprise party for a friend.



• The way my grandma shakes her head at my grandpa after he's annoyed her, and says, "Well, I guess I'll keep him anyway." (She's done this for more than 50 years.)



• Patiently listening to a friend talk about the same problem over and over, just because you know talking about it makes her feel better. (My friends do this for me all the time!)



• Sending a card to someone you haven't seen for a while, just to say hi.



• Rejoicing with someone who's had a good day!



• Hearing the excitement in my dad's voice when I call him. He always says "Heeeeey!" the same way he does when an old friend calls.



• Taking time to think about God's care for you—and finding a way to show that care to someone else.



• Holding the door for someone at the grocery store or at the mall.



• Changing your plans to hang out with a friend who seems a little lonely.



• Forgiving a sibling who's hurt your feelings. And then working to get the relationship back on track.



• Baking a cake for somebody, just because.



• Adjusting your life a little for someone. My friend Chris loves his dog, Basil. My friend Jan, who is Chris' wife, does not like dogs. But she loves Chris, so she's adjusted to living with Basil!



• Putting up with someone who likes to listen to the very same song, over and over again.



• Taking a phone call from someone who calls really late at night, because you'd like to make sure he's OK.



• Respecting your parents, even when you disagree with them.



• Sending your friends a Valentine's Day gift, so they know they are loved.

"What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we're called children of God! …" I John 3:1 (The Message)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Learning to listen,
LaTonya

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